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Message from Dr. Clark Godshall - District Superintendent

August 26, 2022

 

Dear Orleans/Niagara BOCES Community:

 

Another school year is ready to begin as we welcome back students and staff to the 2022-2023 year.  While COVID has not disappeared, we will be operating near normalcy with our programs, transportation and building operations.  We have learned that our pupils benefit most from in-person instruction and face-to-face daily interactions with their teachers and peers.  We know that our youngest learners and some with special needs struggle without in-person learning.  We know that many families face challenges in providing care for children during the day when parents and guardians must work.  For these reasons, we will continue to conduct in-person instruction five days per week at all of our sites. 

 

Based upon recommendations from the New York State Education Department, health departments, our insurance providers and other knowledgeable agencies, we will again be following our safety protocols similar to last school year, which include cleaning protocols.

 

 Here are some highlights:

  • Students and staff exposed to COVID-19 will not have to quarantine.  People who were exposed
     to COVID-19 should follow CDC recommendations to wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days after
     exposure and get tested.

  • “Test to stay” will end.  Students will no longer be required to receive a COVID-19 test if exposed
     to an infected person.

  • Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate for five days at home.  Those
     with symptoms may resume attending school after five days, if they are fever-free without
     fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours, their symptoms are improving and they wear a mask
     through day 10.  CDC guidance indicates that people can use the test-based strategy outlined
     in its isolation guidance to potentially shorten the duration of post-isolation mask use.

• Universal masking is not required at this time.

• Schools will no longer be required to offer or conduct COVID-19 testing.

• Schools are not required to test unvaccinated staff.

 
  • Link to the DOH/SED letter.  DOH/SED letter
  • Link to a frequently asked questions (FAQ) document, which is worth reading.  DOH/SED FAQ

 

The BOCES staff will be receiving updated CDC, health department, and education department guidance and providing further guidelines with more detailed information as conditions change.
 
The pandemic has highlighted the work of the staff who have adapted and contributed to the success of the clients we serve.

 

We appreciate the tremendous support you have given us and look forward to working closely with our entire BOCES community as we progress closer to true normalcy.

 

Have a great school year!  

 

Sincerely,

 

Dr. Clark J. Godshall

District Superintendent/CEO

 

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